A secret tape from a Michael Jackson interview made it to YouTube, and it showed the King of Pop trying to hide the abuse he suffered as a child. He admitted to being under pressure to perform as a child star among brothers who never encouraged him or had any fresh ideas.
His confessional interview with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach made it to The Michael Jackson Tapes, and in it, he describes how the presence of his father, Joe Jackson, terrified him. Although Joe softened up with age, Michael refused to accept him fully and was unimpressed by his sudden kindness towards his grandkids.
Michael Jackson was a victim of child abuse
Michael recalled getting back from school to meet Joe sitting in a chair with a belt or switch in hand. They would immediately start rehearsing, and he got most of the beating compared to his siblings. He told the reporter that he suffered child abuse but immediately begged that they do not write it down.
Joe never hesitated to hit Michael and his siblings whenever they made a mistake. The late King of Pop tried to stand up for himself often, which made him a victim of even more lashing from Joe, who managed the Jackson 5 for about 10 years.
Michael Jackson feared Joe Jackson
Due to his experience, Michael could easily identify healthy parent-child relationships apart from abusive ones. He told the reporter that a child’s reaction upon seeing their mother or father says a lot, whether they avoid or run towards them.
The late legend said he fainted several times out of fear in Joe’s presence and would sometimes get tummy ache or throw up. Michael grew to be a loving father to his children ,Prince, Paris, and Blanket. He shielded them from the public eye when he was alive for fear of media intrusion and external pressure.